Ex Rangers star stays in Scotland despite EFL Championship noise as SPFL club 'delighted to announce' transfer
Scottish Championship club have signed defender permanently after successful loan switch
Former Rangers centre back Leon King has signed for Ayr United permanently on a two-year deal despite interest from the English Championship.
The 22-year old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Somerset Park from Rangers last season, where he swept up at their Player of the Year awards night. His performances caught the eye of EFL sides Swansea City, Preston North End and Plymouth Argyle, alongside Rangers’ Premiership rivals St Mirren and Hearts, however he has now opted to return to the Honest Men.
King officially became a free agent last month as Rangers opted not to offer him a new contract. The former Scotland Under-21 international came through the youth ranks at Ibrox before making 41 appearances for the first team. Upon his contract expiration, he bid an emotional farewell to the club after 17 years of service.
Ayr ‘delighted’ to sign Rangers product
A club statement from his new employers read: “He’s back. The Club are delighted to announce the signing of 22-year-old defender Leon King on a 2-year deal until June 2028, subject to SFA approval. Leon impressed during his loan spell last season from Rangers where he made over 30 appearances for the Honest Men and won various end of season awards including the Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year. Welcome back, Leon!”
Before last season, King also went on loan to Queen’s Park to aid his development as he continually remained on the fringes of the Rangers starting XI. Under former boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the Scotsman made 23 appearances during the 2022/23 campaign due to an injury crisis at the back. During this time, King gained Champions League experience, featuring against the likes of European giants Liverpool, Ajax and Napoli.
Ayr United loan is what King ‘needed’
Speaking to the Ayrshire Post in May, King claimed his loan spell at Somerset Park has gone according to plan and hinted a permanent move could be in the offing. He said: “This is what I needed – to go out and play consistently this season. The constant challenge of having to earn a spot in the team each week has been massive for me.
“I’m without a contract now so we’ll see what my future holds. But I’m definitely not shutting the door on staying here. I’ve loved it. The club has given me an opportunity to go and showcase what I’ve got and I’ll be forever grateful for that. So if something is on the table that is good for my future then I’ll look at it seriously.”